United Nations human rights experts have stated that India’s military strikes carried out in May on Pakistani territory violated international law and posed a serious risk to regional peace. The findings were shared in a report released this month by UN special rapporteurs, drawing renewed attention to tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbors.
According to the report, India failed to provide credible evidence linking Pakistan to the Pahalgam attack, which New Delhi cited as justification for its military action. The UN experts emphasized that under international law, any use of force must meet strict conditions, including clear proof of responsibility and necessity. They noted that these conditions were not met in this case.
The rapporteurs also highlighted that India did not formally notify the United Nations Security Council, a requirement under Article 51 of the UN Charter, when a country claims self-defense. This omission, they said, further weakens India’s legal position and raises concerns about accountability and transparency.
UN experts warned that such unilateral military actions could destabilize the region and increase the risk of wider conflict. They stressed the importance of restraint, dialogue, and adherence to international norms, especially in South Asia, where tensions can escalate quickly.
The report called on all parties to respect international humanitarian law and protect civilian lives. It also urged independent investigations into cross-border incidents to prevent misinformation and avoid military escalation.
Pakistan has welcomed the UN observations, saying they support its long-standing position that the May strikes were unjustified and unlawful. Indian authorities have not formally responded to the report but have previously defended their actions as necessary for national security.
The UN findings add international weight to concerns over the use of force without clear legal grounds and underline the need for peaceful conflict resolution through diplomatic channels.
